EPA Ordered To Update Lead Paint Rules in 90 Days

What’s the story?

A federal court ruled on Wednesday that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must issue a new rule updating the 17-year old standard for lead in paint and dust within 90 days and finalize the rule within one year. The decision follows years of delay by the Obama administration to update the standards.

The Trump administration requested an additional 6-year delay to consider a new rule, but the court rejected that timeframe:

"Indeed E.P.A. itself has acknowledged that ‘lead poisoning is the number one environmental health threat in the U.S. for children ages 6 and younger,’ and that the current standards are insufficient. The children exposed to lead poisoning due to the failure of E.P.A. to act are severely prejudiced by E.P.A.’s delay."

The agency has stated they are reviewing the ruling and have not announced if they will appeal the decision. They could issue a rule that does not reconsider the standard despite existing research, a potential reality that advocates for stricter standards acknowledge.

In a statement, according to the New York Times, the EPA committed to confronting the health threat of lead to children:

"EPA will continue to work diligently on a number of fronts to address issues surrounding childhood lead exposure from multiple sources."

What do you think?

Should the standard be updated? Is it a good thing that the courts have pushed the EPA to act quickly? Are you concerned about lead poisoning of children where you live?

Tell us in the comments what you think, then use the Take Action button to tell your reps!

Take Action

— Asha Sanaker